Rue Nationale (National Street), Tours (must see)

National Street (Rue Nationale) in Tours is one of the city's oldest and busiest shopping streets, reflecting centuries of history, architecture, and urban planning. Spanning 700 meters through the city center, this north-south street connects the Place Anatole France and Pont Wilson to Avenue de Grammont, forming part of a straight seven-kilometer road that includes Avenue de la Tranchée and Avenue de Grammont.

Originally known as Royal Street (Rue Royale), the street was restructured in 1777 based on designs by Jean Cabet de Limeray. This marked a pivotal shift in the city's urban layout, changing from an east-west to a north-south axis, centered around the Saint-Julien church. The street underwent significant changes in 1840 under Mayor Walvein, who imposed strict architectural guidelines to ensure symmetry in the facades, creating a mirrored effect across the street at Place Anatole France.

In 1884, under Mayor Jules Charpentier, Royal Street was renamed National Street. The street faced devastation during World War II when Nazi bombings in June 1940 led to a major fire, destroying parts of the street including the old City Hall. Post-war reconstruction led by architect Pierre Patout significantly altered the northern part of National Street, expanding it by ten meters.

The completion of the A10 highway in 1981 shifted major traffic away from National Street, which previously served as a critical route from Paris to Spain. Today, the street is characterized by a vibrant commercial scene, with the northern part accommodating car and bus traffic, and the southern part pedestrianized and reserved for public transport.

National Street starts at the central library and the ancient Saint-Julien church. It houses notable historical sites like the Hôtel du Faisan at No. 17 and the birthplace of French literary giant Honoré de Balzac at No. 39. The street also features statues of renowned intellectuals René Descartes and François Rabelais, and hosts two museums: the Wine Museum and the Companion Museum, located at No. 16 and No. 8, respectively.

The evolution of Rue Nationale from a royal avenue to a modern shopping street encapsulates the rich history and cultural heritage of Tours, making it a pivotal element in the city’s identity and daily life.